Errollyn Wallen

Series

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

2022

Roots

20220103

20231016 (R3)

Donald Macleod chats to composer Errollyn Wallen about her heritage and musical upbringing.

Belize-born British composer Errollyn Wallen has been called a “renaissance woman of contemporary music ?. She's a remarkably versatile and prolific composer, pianist and songwriter and one of our most in-demand musical voices today. She was the first black woman to have a piece performed at the Proms in 1998 and her music opened the 2012 Paralympic games. She's even been performed in space, aboard NASA's STS115 mission. Wallen writes in a kaleidoscopic range of styles; her music constantly crosses and re-crosses musical boundaries and it brims over with a sense of adventure and delight. All this week, Donald Macleod gets to know Errollyn as she dials into his studio from her Scottish lighthouse where she retreats to concentrate on her work.

Today, we hear about Errollyn's deep connection to Belize and her childhood musical memories. She was brought up in London to a soundtrack of Ella Fitzgerald and calypso. When she discovered the piano, she had to be begged not to practice. Errollyn's first ever composition was written for her sisters to sing walking to primary school, and family has since been a thread through her work.

I Wouldn't Normally Say

Elena Riu, piano

It's a Quarter to Nine

Hull Music Hub Massed Choir

Errollyn Wallen, piano

Charles McDougall, conductor

Percussion Concerto (2nd movement – excerpt)

Colin Currie, percussion

National Youth Orchestra

Paul Daniel, conductor

Louis' Loops

Margaret Leng Tan, toy piano

Photography

Ensemble X

Nicholas Kok, conductor

NNENNA

BBC National Orchestra of Wales

Ryan Bancroft, conductor

My Granny Sarah

National Youth Choir of Great Britain

Ben Parry, conductor

Produced in Cardiff by Amelia Parker

Donald Macleod chats to Errollyn Wallen about her heritage and musical upbringing.

Donald Macleod chats to Errollyn Wallen, one of Britain's most in-demand composers. Today is about her connection to Belize, and how her family and childhood influence her work.

2022

First Steps

20220104

20231017 (R3)

Donald Macleod speaks to Errollyn Wallen about her lifelong love of dance.

Belize-born British composer Errollyn Wallen has been called a “renaissance woman of contemporary music ?. She's a remarkably versatile and prolific composer, pianist and songwriter and one of our most in-demand musical voices today. She was the first black woman to have a piece performed at the Proms in 1998 and her music opened the 2012 Paralympic games. She's even been performed in space, aboard Nasa's STS115 mission. Wallen writes in a kaleidoscopic range of styles; her music constantly crosses and re-crosses musical boundaries and it brims over with a sense of adventure and delight. All this week, Donald Macleod gets to know Errollyn as she dials into his studio from her Scottish lighthouse where she retreats to concentrate on her work.

Today, Errollyn shares stories about her other first love, dance, and talks to Donald about her time spent training in New York at the Harlem Dance Theatre. We hear how she came to decide that music was actually the right path for her but how dance remains an important presence in her life today, from writing ballets to hitting her step count targets with some kitchen disco.

Woogie Boogie

Rachel Barton-Pine, violin

Matthew Hagle, piano

Dervish

Matthew Sharp, cello

Dominic Harlan, piano

Concerto Grosso

Tai Murray, violin

Isata Kanneh-Mason, piano

Chi-chi Nwanoku, double bass

Chineke! Orchestra

Anthony Parnther, conductor

Horseplay (1st and 2nd movements)

Continuum Ensemble

Philip Headlam, conductor

In Our Lifetime

Mike Henry, baritone

Ensemble X

Produced in Cardiff by Amelia Parker

Donald Macleod chats to composer Errollyn Wallen about her lifelong love of dance, her time spent training in New York, and how she came to decide that music was her true path.

2022

Finding New Feet

20220105

20231018 (R3)

Donald Macleod and composer Errollyn Wallen discuss her breakthrough into the musical world.

Today, we hear from Errollyn about her colourful early career in London as a keyboardist in bands, and writing music for a TV gameshow. She and Donald also discuss the the challenge of breaking through as a serious composer. Plus, we hear about life in Errollyn's lighthouse, and how she ended up living there.

TIGER

John Butt, organ

Lines

Errollyn Wallen, piano

It all depends on you (excerpt)

Fiona Baines, soprano

Andrew Sparling, clarinet

Martin Robertson, clarinet

The Girl in My Alphabet

Douglas Finch, piano

Three Ships (IV – Some Trouble)

Tom Kerstens, guitar

Red (Homage to Rodrigo)

Greenwich Variations

Produced by Amelia Parker

Donald Macleod and composer Errollyn Wallen discuss her breakthrough moment.

Donald Macleod chats to Errollyn Wallen about her colourful early career in London as a session keyboardist and burgeoning composer. Plus, what it's like to live in a lighthouse.

2022

Songbook

20220106

20231019 (R3)

Donald Macleod chats to composer Errollyn Wallen about her songwriting, an area of her output that she says is central to who she is.

Belize-born British composer Errollyn Wallen has been called a “renaissance woman of contemporary music ?. She's a remarkably versatile and prolific composer, pianist and songwriter and one of our most in-demand musical voices today. She was the first black woman to have a piece performed at the Proms in 1998 and her music opened the 2012 Paralympic games. She's even been performed in space, aboard Nasa's STS115 mission. Wallen writes in a kaleidoscopic range of styles; her music constantly crosses and re-crosses musical boundaries and it brims over with a sense of adventure and delight. All this week, Donald Macleod gets to know Errollyn as she dials into his studio from her Scottish lighthouse where she retreats to concentrate on her work.

Today, Donald asks Errollyn her award-winning songs and how they fit into her creative life. She tells him that songs are like writing a diary, and that she sees songwriting and composing as two sides of the same coin. She shares her diverse influences, from Greek myths to adverts in windows, and we hear the amazing story of how her songs were launched into orbit aboard the Space Shuttle.

What's Up Doc?

Errollyn Wallen, piano

Daedalus

Errollyn Wallen, voice

Brodsky Quartet

Five Postcards

Anton Miller, violin

Rita Porfiris, viola

About Here; Tree; Of Crumpling Rocks

Errollyn Wallen, voice and piano

Are you worried about the rising cost of funerals? (i. beehive; iv. guru)

Patricia Rozario, soprano

The Continuum Ensemble

Peace on Earth

Choir of King's College, Cambridge

George Hill, treble

Dónal McCann, organ

Stephen Cleobury, conductor

Produced in Cardiff by Amelia Parker

Donald Macleod chats to composer Errollyn Wallen about songwriting.

Donald Macleod chats to composer Errollyn Wallen about songwriting, an area of her output that she says is central to who she is. Plus, we hear how her music made it into space.

2022

05 LAST

Public And Private

20220107

20231020 (R3)

Donald Macleod and Errollyn Wallen discuss the role of the composer in today's world.

Belize-born British composer Errollyn Wallen has been called a “renaissance woman of contemporary music ?. She's a remarkably versatile and prolific composer, pianist and songwriter and one of our most in-demand musical voices today. She was the first black woman to have a piece performed at the Proms in 1998 and her music opened the 2012 Paralympic games. She's even been performed in space, aboard Nasa's STS115 mission. Wallen writes in a kaleidoscopic range of styles; her music constantly crosses and re-crosses musical boundaries and it brims over with a sense of adventure and delight. All this week, Donald Macleod gets to know Errollyn as she dials into his studio from her Scottish lighthouse where she retreats to concentrate on her work.

Today, Donald and Errollyn talk about some of her most public and meaningful commissions, marking large events and anniversaries, as well as pieces dedicated to people close to her. She speaks about the importance of a composer being “in the world ? and her role in reflecting society through music. We hear about her daily life as a composer, and how she feels the world of classical music is changing for the future.

Jerusalem, our clouded hills

Golda Schultz, soprano

BBC Symphony Orchestra

Dalia Stasevska, conductor

gun gun gun

Heloise Werner, soprano

Hermes Experiment

Mighty River

Orchestra X

Cello Concerto (excerpt)

Matthew Sharp, cello

Nicholas Kok, conductor

See That I am God

Choir of King's College, Cambridge

Stephen Cleobury, conductor

Produced in Cardiff by Amelia Parker

Donald Macleod chats to Errollyn Wallen about her most public and meaningful commissions, her daily routine and the role of the composer in today's world.

Episodes

Series	Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
2022	01	Roots	20220103	20231016 (R3)	Donald Macleod chats to composer Errollyn Wallen about her heritage and musical upbringing. Belize-born British composer Errollyn Wallen has been called a “renaissance woman of contemporary music ?. She's a remarkably versatile and prolific composer, pianist and songwriter and one of our most in-demand musical voices today. She was the first black woman to have a piece performed at the Proms in 1998 and her music opened the 2012 Paralympic games. She's even been performed in space, aboard NASA's STS115 mission. Wallen writes in a kaleidoscopic range of styles; her music constantly crosses and re-crosses musical boundaries and it brims over with a sense of adventure and delight. All this week, Donald Macleod gets to know Errollyn as she dials into his studio from her Scottish lighthouse where she retreats to concentrate on her work. Today, we hear about Errollyn's deep connection to Belize and her childhood musical memories. She was brought up in London to a soundtrack of Ella Fitzgerald and calypso. When she discovered the piano, she had to be begged not to practice. Errollyn's first ever composition was written for her sisters to sing walking to primary school, and family has since been a thread through her work. I Wouldn't Normally Say Elena Riu, piano It's a Quarter to Nine Hull Music Hub Massed Choir Errollyn Wallen, piano Charles McDougall, conductor Percussion Concerto (2nd movement – excerpt) Colin Currie, percussion National Youth Orchestra Paul Daniel, conductor Louis' Loops Margaret Leng Tan, toy piano Photography Ensemble X Nicholas Kok, conductor NNENNA BBC National Orchestra of Wales Ryan Bancroft, conductor My Granny Sarah National Youth Choir of Great Britain Ben Parry, conductor Produced in Cardiff by Amelia Parker Donald Macleod chats to Errollyn Wallen about her heritage and musical upbringing. Donald Macleod chats to Errollyn Wallen, one of Britain's most in-demand composers. Today is about her connection to Belize, and how her family and childhood influence her work.
2022	02	First Steps	20220104	20231017 (R3)	Donald Macleod speaks to Errollyn Wallen about her lifelong love of dance. Belize-born British composer Errollyn Wallen has been called a “renaissance woman of contemporary music ?. She's a remarkably versatile and prolific composer, pianist and songwriter and one of our most in-demand musical voices today. She was the first black woman to have a piece performed at the Proms in 1998 and her music opened the 2012 Paralympic games. She's even been performed in space, aboard Nasa's STS115 mission. Wallen writes in a kaleidoscopic range of styles; her music constantly crosses and re-crosses musical boundaries and it brims over with a sense of adventure and delight. All this week, Donald Macleod gets to know Errollyn as she dials into his studio from her Scottish lighthouse where she retreats to concentrate on her work. Today, Errollyn shares stories about her other first love, dance, and talks to Donald about her time spent training in New York at the Harlem Dance Theatre. We hear how she came to decide that music was actually the right path for her but how dance remains an important presence in her life today, from writing ballets to hitting her step count targets with some kitchen disco. Woogie Boogie Rachel Barton-Pine, violin Matthew Hagle, piano Dervish Matthew Sharp, cello Dominic Harlan, piano Concerto Grosso Tai Murray, violin Isata Kanneh-Mason, piano Chi-chi Nwanoku, double bass Chineke! Orchestra Anthony Parnther, conductor Horseplay (1st and 2nd movements) Continuum Ensemble Philip Headlam, conductor In Our Lifetime Mike Henry, baritone Ensemble X Produced in Cardiff by Amelia Parker Donald Macleod chats to composer Errollyn Wallen about her lifelong love of dance, her time spent training in New York, and how she came to decide that music was her true path.
2022	03	Finding New Feet	20220105	20231018 (R3)	Donald Macleod and composer Errollyn Wallen discuss her breakthrough into the musical world. Belize-born British composer Errollyn Wallen has been called a “renaissance woman of contemporary music ?. She's a remarkably versatile and prolific composer, pianist and songwriter and one of our most in-demand musical voices today. She was the first black woman to have a piece performed at the Proms in 1998 and her music opened the 2012 Paralympic games. She's even been performed in space, aboard NASA's STS115 mission. Wallen writes in a kaleidoscopic range of styles; her music constantly crosses and re-crosses musical boundaries and it brims over with a sense of adventure and delight. All this week, Donald Macleod gets to know Errollyn as she dials into his studio from her Scottish lighthouse where she retreats to concentrate on her work. Today, we hear from Errollyn about her colourful early career in London as a keyboardist in bands, and writing music for a TV gameshow. She and Donald also discuss the the challenge of breaking through as a serious composer. Plus, we hear about life in Errollyn's lighthouse, and how she ended up living there. TIGER John Butt, organ Lines Errollyn Wallen, piano It all depends on you (excerpt) Fiona Baines, soprano Andrew Sparling, clarinet Martin Robertson, clarinet The Girl in My Alphabet Douglas Finch, piano Three Ships (IV – Some Trouble) Tom Kerstens, guitar Red (Homage to Rodrigo) Greenwich Variations Produced by Amelia Parker Donald Macleod and composer Errollyn Wallen discuss her breakthrough moment. Donald Macleod chats to Errollyn Wallen about her colourful early career in London as a session keyboardist and burgeoning composer. Plus, what it's like to live in a lighthouse.
2022	04	Songbook	20220106	20231019 (R3)	Donald Macleod chats to composer Errollyn Wallen about her songwriting, an area of her output that she says is central to who she is. Belize-born British composer Errollyn Wallen has been called a “renaissance woman of contemporary music ?. She's a remarkably versatile and prolific composer, pianist and songwriter and one of our most in-demand musical voices today. She was the first black woman to have a piece performed at the Proms in 1998 and her music opened the 2012 Paralympic games. She's even been performed in space, aboard Nasa's STS115 mission. Wallen writes in a kaleidoscopic range of styles; her music constantly crosses and re-crosses musical boundaries and it brims over with a sense of adventure and delight. All this week, Donald Macleod gets to know Errollyn as she dials into his studio from her Scottish lighthouse where she retreats to concentrate on her work. Today, Donald asks Errollyn her award-winning songs and how they fit into her creative life. She tells him that songs are like writing a diary, and that she sees songwriting and composing as two sides of the same coin. She shares her diverse influences, from Greek myths to adverts in windows, and we hear the amazing story of how her songs were launched into orbit aboard the Space Shuttle. What's Up Doc? Errollyn Wallen, piano Daedalus Errollyn Wallen, voice Brodsky Quartet Five Postcards Anton Miller, violin Rita Porfiris, viola About Here; Tree; Of Crumpling Rocks Errollyn Wallen, voice and piano Are you worried about the rising cost of funerals? (i. beehive; iv. guru) Patricia Rozario, soprano The Continuum Ensemble Peace on Earth Choir of King's College, Cambridge George Hill, treble Dónal McCann, organ Stephen Cleobury, conductor Produced in Cardiff by Amelia Parker Donald Macleod chats to composer Errollyn Wallen about songwriting. Donald Macleod chats to composer Errollyn Wallen about songwriting, an area of her output that she says is central to who she is. Plus, we hear how her music made it into space.
2022	05 LAST	Public And Private	20220107	20231020 (R3)	Donald Macleod and Errollyn Wallen discuss the role of the composer in today's world. Belize-born British composer Errollyn Wallen has been called a “renaissance woman of contemporary music ?. She's a remarkably versatile and prolific composer, pianist and songwriter and one of our most in-demand musical voices today. She was the first black woman to have a piece performed at the Proms in 1998 and her music opened the 2012 Paralympic games. She's even been performed in space, aboard Nasa's STS115 mission. Wallen writes in a kaleidoscopic range of styles; her music constantly crosses and re-crosses musical boundaries and it brims over with a sense of adventure and delight. All this week, Donald Macleod gets to know Errollyn as she dials into his studio from her Scottish lighthouse where she retreats to concentrate on her work. Today, Donald and Errollyn talk about some of her most public and meaningful commissions, marking large events and anniversaries, as well as pieces dedicated to people close to her. She speaks about the importance of a composer being “in the world ? and her role in reflecting society through music. We hear about her daily life as a composer, and how she feels the world of classical music is changing for the future. Jerusalem, our clouded hills Golda Schultz, soprano BBC Symphony Orchestra Dalia Stasevska, conductor gun gun gun Heloise Werner, soprano Hermes Experiment Mighty River Orchestra X Cello Concerto (excerpt) Matthew Sharp, cello Nicholas Kok, conductor See That I am God Choir of King's College, Cambridge Stephen Cleobury, conductor Produced in Cardiff by Amelia Parker Donald Macleod chats to Errollyn Wallen about her most public and meaningful commissions, her daily routine and the role of the composer in today's world.